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A charming, relatable and hilarious collection of essays documenting a young woman's attempt to accomplish thirty life goals before turning thirty.

Something was nagging Marina Shifrin. As a freshly minted adult with student loan payments, a barely hospitable New York apartment, a “real” job she hated that paid her enough to get by if she also worked two other jobs, something needed to change. Over a few bottles of Two Buck Chuck, Marina and her friend each made lists of thirty things they’d do before the age of thirty. The first thing on Marina’s list was, “Quit My Shitty Job.” So she did, and just like that the List powered her through her twenties.

In 30 Before 30, Marina takes readers through her list and shares personal stories about achieving those goals. Ranging in scope from the simple (Ride A Bike Over the Brooklyn Bridge, Donate Hair) to the life-changing (Move to A Different Country, Become internet Famous), each story shows readers that we don’t all have it figured out, and that’s okay. But for Marina, she did become internet famous (a viral video of her quitting her job after moving to Asia has nearly 19 million views on You Tube) and now writes for Comedy Central’s hit show @Midnight, is also an in-demand stand up, and had a very popular Modern Love column published in the New York Times. None of that would have happened if she didn’t start her list that night. Thank you, Two Buck Chuck.

Told with humor and heart, 30 Before 30 will entertain, motivate, and challeng… More…

A charming, relatable and hilarious collection of essays documenting a young woman's attempt to accomplish thirty life goals before turning thirty.

Something was nagging Marina Shifrin. As a freshly minted adult with student loan payments, a barely hospitable New York apartment, a “real” job she hated that paid her enough to get by if she also worked two other jobs, something needed to change. Over a few bottles of Two Buck Chuck, Marina and her friend each made lists of thirty things they’d do before the age of thirty. The first thing on Marina’s list was, “Quit My Shitty Job.” So she did, and just like that the List powered her through her twenties.

In 30 Before 30, Marina takes readers through her list and shares personal stories about achieving those goals. Ranging in scope from the simple (Ride A Bike Over the Brooklyn Bridge, Donate Hair) to the life-changing (Move to A Different Country, Become internet Famous), each story shows readers that we don’t all have it figured out, and that’s okay. But for Marina, she did become internet famous (a viral video of her quitting her job after moving to Asia has nearly 19 million views on You Tube) and now writes for Comedy Central’s hit show @Midnight, is also an in-demand stand up, and had a very popular Modern Love column published in the New York Times. None of that would have happened if she didn’t start her list that night. Thank you, Two Buck Chuck.

Told with humor and heart, 30 Before 30 will entertain, motivate, and challenge readers to get out of their comfort zones and live their best lives.

Praise for 30 Before 30

"As a young Jewish girl, I resonated with Marina's ability to knock herself down while bringing you up. This bracingly honest, brutally funny book deserves a well-tailored vest because it's an emotional support animal."--Guy Branum, comedian and author of My Life As a Goddess

"Marina Shifrin is like a millennial David Sedaris - so 30 Before 30 is kinda like reading Me Talk Pretty One Day by the light of your iPhone. This collection of writing is essential reading for anyone who is under thirty and wants to figure out how to live and be a cool person."--Moshe Kasher

"A laugh-outloud guidebook for young people lost or drifting [...] Though her triumphs were not linear, she found the winding path to satisfaction wholly worthwhile. Fun, refreshing, and inspirational." -- Booklist

"Shifrin gives readers a taste of what successful self-deprecation looks like; she constantly pokes fun at herself, analyzing the situations she put herself in and figuring out how they affected her journey. An entertaining bucket-list tale." -- Kirkus

Reviews from Goodreads

Marina Shifrin

Marina Shifrin is a published writer who lives in East Hollywood and likes it. Sometimes. She’s written for TV, but not enough. She’s written for free, but too much. Her middle name is Vladimirovna. 30 Before 30 is her first book.